Sweden, France and Germany in future initiative for the EU

On Monday 11 July, Minister for EU Affairs and Trade Ann Linde is meeting the French and German EU ministers in Berlin to jointly raise the level of ambition for EU job creation efforts and to step up the important climate efforts that the world has undertaken since Paris. Together, they will sign a declaration that shows a higher level of ambition and strengthened cooperation on a few specific issues.

– The world is facing major challenges, in which cooperation and solidarity are essential for our shared success. Climate change, the refugee crisis and unemployment are just a few examples of challenges that must be solved together, across national borders. The European Union was formed with the aim of a more peaceful and stronger Europe, and its most important tasks lie ahead of it, says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate Isabella Lövin.

– Brexit does not mean a pause for European cooperation – quite the reverse – political engagement for a united, democratic and open Europe must be strengthened. Sweden also needs to find new partnerships, as we will lose an important partner – the UK – in EU cooperation, says Ms Linde.

Monday's meeting is about creating new jobs, transitioning to a fossil-free Europe and integrating millions of new people in our societies. It is also about standing up for values that have characterised post-war European cooperation, such as gender equality, openness and diversity, at a time when these values are being challenged from many different quarters. It is more important than ever for European politicians to act responsibly and work for a Europe that is able to meet the challenges of the future instead of creating more division.

As a leader, Sweden plays, and will increasingly play, a key role in the EU. Today we already have more influence than many other Member States of equivalent size. We will work actively to ensure that the EU is better at solving the issues that people expect – contributing to people's daily lives. It is particularly important that the EU focuses, through trade, on creating conditions for more jobs with decent conditions and is able to realise the goals that were adopted at the climate change conference in Paris. If the EU succeeds in this, people will see results in their daily lives and thus the EU's legitimacy will also increase.